1 [transitive](used with can/could in negative sentences and questions)to be able to accept and deal with something unpleasantsynonymstandbear somethingThe pain was almost more than he could bear.She couldn't bear the thought of losing him.bear doing somethingI can't bear having cats in the house.He can't bear being laughed at.bear to do somethingHe can't bear to be laughed at.How can you bear to eat that stuff?bear somebody doing somethingI can't bear you doing that.Synonymshatedislikecan’t standdespisecan’t bearloathedetestThese words all mean to have a strong feeling of dislike for somebody/​something.hate to have a strong feeling of dislike for somebody/​something. Although hate is generally a very strong verb, it is also commonly used in spoken or informal English to talk about people or things that you dislike in a less important way, for example a particular type of food:He hates violence in any form.I’ve always hated cabbage.dislike (rather formal) to not like somebody/​something. Dislike is a rather formal word; it is less formal, and more usual, to say that you don’t like somebody/​something, especially in spoken English:I don’t like it when you phone me so late at night.can’t stand (rather informal) used to emphasize that you really do not like somebody/​something:I can’t stand his brother.She couldn’t stand being kept waiting.despise to dislike and have no respect for somebody/​something:He despised himself for being so cowardly.can’t bear used to say that you dislike something so much that you cannot accept or deal with it:I can’t bear having cats in the house.can’t stand or can’t bear?In many cases you can use either word, but can’t bear is slightly stronger and slightly more formal than can’t stand. loathe to hate somebody/​something very much:They loathe each other.Loathe is generally an even stronger verb than hate, but it can also be used more informally to talk about less important things, meaning ‘really don’t like’:Whether you love or loathe their music, you can’t deny their talent.detest (rather formal) to hate somebody/​something very much:They absolutely detest each other.Patterns I hate/​dislike/​can’t stand/​can’t bear/​loathe/​detest doing something. I hate/​can’t bear to do something. I hate/​dislike/​can’t stand/​can’t bear it when… I really hate/​dislike/​can’t stand/​despise/​can’t bear/​detest somebody/​something. I absolutely hate/​can’t stand/​loathe/​detest somebody/​something.

not be suitable

2[transitive]not bearto not be suitable for somethingbear somethingHer later work does not bear comparison with her earlier novels (= because it is not nearly as good).The plan won't bear close inspection(= it will be found to be unacceptable when carefully examined).bear doing somethingThe joke doesn't bear repeating(= because it is not funny or may offend people).His sufferings don't bear thinking about(= because they are so terrible).

be responsible for something

3 [transitive]bear something(formal)to take responsibility for somethingShe bore the responsibility for most of the changes.Do parents have to bear the whole cost of tuition fees?You shouldn't have to bear the blame for other people's mistakes.

negative feeling

4[transitive]to have a feeling, especially a negative feelingbear something (against/towards somebody)He bears no resentment towards them.He's borne a grudge against me ever since that day.bear somebody somethingHe's borne me a grudge ever since that day.She bore him no ill will.

support weight

5 [transitive]bear somethingto support the weight of somebody/somethingThe ice is too thin to bear your weight.

show

6[transitive]bear something(formal)to show something; to carry something so that it can be seenThe document bore her signature.He was badly wounded in the war and still bears the scars.She bears little resemblance to(= is not much like) her mother.The title of the essay bore little relation to(= was not much connected with) the contents.

name

7[transitive]bear something(formal)to have a particular namea family that bore an ancient and honoured name

9[transitive]bear yourself well, etc.(formal)to move, behave or act in a particular wayHe bears himself (= stands, walks, etc.) proudly, like a soldier.She bore herself with dignity throughout the funeral.

child

10[transitive](formal)to give birth to a childbear somethingShe was not able to bear children.bear somebody somethingShe had borne him six sons.

of trees/plants

11[transitive]bear something(formal)to produce flowers or fruit

turn

12[intransitive]bear (to the) left, north, etc.to go or turn in the direction mentionedWhen you get to the fork in the road, bear right.

Word OriginverbOld Englishberan, of Germanic origin; from an Indo-European root shared by Sanskritbharati, Greekpherein, and Latinferre.Extra examplesDon’t leave me alone. I wouldn’t be able to bear it.How can you bear this awful noise?The burden of the tax bore most heavily on the poor.We could hardly bear to be outdoors in the blinding sunlight.You must bear at least some responsibility for what has happened.information not bearing directly on his argumentGuests starting arriving, mostly bearing gifts.He can’t bear being laughed at.He returned bearing a basket of vegetables.Her two sons helped bear the coffin.His parents had borne the child across the mountains.I can’t bear having cats in the house.I just can’t bear it any more!Schools will bear the brunt of cuts in government spending.She bore it all with her usual patience.She couldn’t bear seeing him so upset.She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him.The ground was too soft to bear his weight.These trees take a long time to bear fruit.You shouldn’t have to bear the blame for other people’s mistakes.Idioms

(formal)to use energy, pressure, influence, etc. to try to achieve something or make somebody do somethingWe must bring all our energies to bear upon the task.Pressure was brought to bear on us to finish the work on time.